Joyful Me rallies to take Fairfield

VALLEJO, Calif. - Joyful Me ($21.80) uncorked a strong rally in the lane, splitting rivals late to nip Foxy Danseur by a head to win her stakes debut Saturday at the Solano County Fair in the $53,650 Fairfield Stakes.

Joyful Me led only For Sure for Sure, who stumbled badly at the start, down the backstretch and around the turn in the six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies. She was able to save ground into the stretch before shifting off the rail and finding her best stride.

Joyful Me, coming off a victory in a $40,000 starter allowance at Golden Gate Fields on June 14, got into gear in midstretch, rallying between the early pacesetters to put her head in front of Foxy Danseur at the wire. Her winning time was 1:09.31 after chasing a hot pace set by favored Tiz Madison and the stakes-winning Foxy Danseur, who was making her first start since running fifth in the Hollywood Starlet last Dec. 15. Mission Viejo Halo, who rallied wide, finished third.

Joyful Me, a Washington-bred daughter of Tribunal has now won three of five career starts with a pair of seconds for Seven Oaks Farms and trainer Barbara Heads. She earned $32,450 for her win, increasing her lifetime earnings to $69,850.